THE WELSH government has said 2 Sisters is ‘moving ahead’ with closing operations at its 2 Sisters Llangefni processing facility.
A ‘first stage’ consultation had not brought any viable plans for the site to remain in operation, according to Welsh economy minister Vaughan Gething.
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When the proposed closure of the site was announced, a task force was established to support staff at the Llangefni site, which is a major local employer.
It met for the second time on 17 February, where representatives of 2 Sisters said it would consult over ending production at the site.
A spokesman for 2 Sisters said, however, that the consultation was not over, and a final decision had not yet been made on the future of the site.
“We continue our positive engagement with the Llangefni taskforce group and our central focus at this stage is to partner with all agencies to support colleagues and explore every avenue in helping them now and after the consultation period,” he added.
2 Sisters has described the Llangefni site as old and one of its smallest facilities lacking the space required to be efficient. It currently processes about 365,000 birds/week, supplying other 2 Sisters’ divisions and two food service customers.
‘Disappointing’
The firm acquired the factory in June 2013 following the UK exit of the Dutch protein company Vion. The facility employs about 730 people.
In a written statement, Mr Gething said: “It was disappointing to hear from the company that the first stage consultation had not brought forward any viable plans for 2 Sisters to maintain their site in Llangefni, and the company is now moving ahead with plans to cease production.
“The Task Force’s Operational Group is meeting on a weekly basis and involves a wide range of partner organisations and agencies.
Support
“Their primary focus remains identifying and co-ordinating as much assistance as possible to support the workers impacted as a result of the closure, both in terms of securing future employment and their wellbeing.
“The Task Force was unanimous in its support for early and proactive engagement with the owner of the site in order to secure its future as a key employment site for Llangefni and the wider area.
“The Welsh Government will continue to work with the UK Government, Anglesey Council, trades unions and other stakeholders to support the individuals and the local community.”
